MDVAP Deaf Awareness Month Series 2026
Deaf & Diverse: Celebrating Black, Brown, and Indigenous Deaf Voices

September 2026 | Phoenix • Tempe • Tucson • Virtual

Join MDVAP for a month-long celebration of visual art, storytelling, culture, accessibility, and community featuring Black, Brown, and Indigenous Deaf artists across Arizona.

​View the Full September Schedule
[ID: A vertical black, gold, red, green, and orange MDVAP event flyer for the MDVAP Voices Panel, part of Deaf & Diverse: Celebrating Black, Brown, and Indigenous Deaf Voices. Across the center are three featured artist portraits: Fred Michael Beam, a BlackDeaf visual and performing artist, smiling in a white suit; Parirou Djafari, a Hard of Hearing visual artist, shown in a close-up black-and-white portrait; and Ebony R. Gooden, a Black Deaf multidisciplinary artist, wearing a colorful patterned top with a large natural Afro. Each portrait is framed by a different earth-toned color. Below the portraits, the flyer announces the panel for Wednesday, September 16, 2026, from 5:00–6:30 PM at Phoenix College, Willo Conference Room, 3310 N. 10th Ave, Phoenix, Arizona 85013. The event is described as a community dialogue exploring identity, culture, storytelling, accessibility, and representation. The bottom states that the event is sponsored by the Phoenix College ASL Club and includes mdvap.org. Arizona desert mountains and a saguaro silhouette decorate the bottom of the flyer.]
[ID: A vertical, high-contrast event flyer with a charcoal-black background and gold, white, and dark-brown accents. A narrow gold border runs across the top. “MDVAP” appears in gold at the upper left, with “Deaf Awareness Month 2026” in white at the upper right. Large white and gold text reads, “DeafBlind Arizonans: You’re Invited!”
A horizontal line of alternating gold and brown circles, with a larger white circle in the center, appears above a rounded gold banner reading “Protactile Gallery Tour.”
Three boxes display the event details: “Sunday,” “September 13,” and “2:00–3:00 PM.” Below, white text gives the location: Mood Room, 3121 N 3rd Ave, Suite 100, Phoenix, Arizona 85013.
Additional text reads, “Experience visual art through a Protactile-centered gallery tour. Connect. Explore. Celebrate.” A black-and-white registration QR code appears on the lower right with the words “Scan to Register.” A gold bar near the bottom reads, “Reserve Your Place: square.link/u/FfNHTwd5.” The footer reads, “Melanated Deaf Visual Arts Project | mdvap.org.”]
[ID: A vertical, high-contrast event flyer with a charcoal-black background and gold, white, and dark-brown accents. A narrow gold border runs across the top. “MDVAP” appears in gold at the upper left, with “Deaf Awareness Month 2026” in white at the upper right. Large white and gold text reads, “DeafBlind Arizonans: You’re Invited!”

A horizontal line of alternating gold and brown circles, with a larger white circle in the center, appears above a rounded gold banner reading “Protactile Gallery Tour.”

Three boxes display the event details: “Friday,” “September 25,” and “2:00–3:00 PM.” Below, white text gives the location: Tucson Deaf Community Center, 1436 N 11th Ave, Tucson, Arizona 85705.

Additional text reads, “Experience visual art through a Protactile-centered gallery tour. Connect. Explore. Celebrate.” A black-and-white registration QR code appears on the lower right with the words “Scan to Register.” A gold bar near the bottom reads, “Reserve Your Place: square.link/u/TlzV4Dl5.” The footer reads, “Melanated Deaf Visual Arts Project | mdvap.org.”]
[ID: A landscape promotional flyer for the Melanated Deaf Visual Arts Project (MDVAP) Deaf Awareness Month Series 2026. The design uses a warm gold, black, and white color palette with detailed gold line drawings of Sonoran Desert cacti and plants framing both sides and the bottom.
Across the gold header in large black serif lettering: “Melanated Deaf Visual Arts Project Deaf Awareness Month Series 2026.” Below, in gold capital letters on a black background: “Deaf & Diverse: Celebrating Black, Brown, and Indigenous Deaf Voices.”
The flyer highlights Tucson events during the 10th Annual Tucson Deaf Awareness Week, September 21–27, 2026, described as a full week of connection, culture, and community celebrating Deaf voices and identity.
Friday, September 25: “MDVAP Tucson: ASL & Protactile Gallery Tours,” from 2:00 PM–9:00 PM at the Tucson Deaf Community Center, 1436 N 11th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85705. The event features ASL and Protactile gallery tours showcasing Black, Brown, and Indigenous Deaf artists.
Sunday, September 27: “10th Annual Tucson Deaf Awareness Week Closing Ceremony,” from 2:00 PM–7:00 PM at Joaquin Murrieta Park, 1400 N Silverbell Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85745.
Near the bottom, text reads: “Visual art, storytelling, culture, accessibility, and community honoring and amplifying Deaf voices across Southern Arizona.”
The bottom of the flyer displays the MDVAP logo on the left, a QR code in the center, and the Tucson Deaf Awareness Week logo on the right. Contact information reads: mdvap.org | [email protected]]
[ID: A horizontal promotional flyer for the Melanated Deaf Visual Arts Project (MDVAP) ASL Art Workshop, designed in black, gold, white, and burnt orange. Paintbrushes and orange paint strokes decorate the upper corners, while an Arizona desert landscape with a large saguaro cactus runs along the bottom.
Large text across the top reads “ASL Art Workshop”, followed by “Deaf & Diverse: Celebrating Black, Brown, and Indigenous Deaf Voices.”
The workshop takes place Wednesday, September 9, 2026, from 5:00 PM–7:00 PM at Mood Room, 3121 N. 3rd Ave., Suite 100, Phoenix, AZ 85013. The flyer states “No Experience Necessary! All materials provided.”
The center reads “Create • Connect • Explore Deaf Art” and describes the workshop as a welcoming space where Deaf and diverse artists can express themselves, inspire one another, and build community through art.
Admission is $25, with tickets available at the door or online. A large QR code appears beside the admission information with the words “Scan to Purchase Tickets.” The bottom reads, “More Than Art, A More Inclusive Tomorrow.”]
Picture
​[ID: A vertical black, gold, and burnt-orange promotional flyer for the Melanated Deaf Visual Arts Project (MDVAP). At the top is the gold MDVAP logo and the words “Melanated Deaf Visual Arts Project,” followed by the large title “ASL Gallery Tour” and “Deaf & Diverse: Celebrating Black, Brown, and Indigenous Deaf Voices.” A photograph in the center shows several colorful framed artworks displayed on white gallery walls.
The event is Sunday, September 6, 2026, from 2:00–3:00 PM at Mood Room, 3121 N. 3rd Ave., Suite 100, Phoenix, AZ 85013. Admission is $25, with tickets available at the door or online. A large QR code is included with the words “Scan to Purchase Tickets.”
Below, the flyer reads, “Experience the MDVAP exhibition through ASL,” and lists featured artists Parirou Djafari, Ebony R. Gooden, and Fred Michael Beam. The bottom includes mdvap.org against an Arizona desert landscape with mountain and saguaro silhouettes.]
​[ID: This is a professionally designed event flyer promoting the Melanated Deaf Visual Arts Project (MDVAP) Deaf Awareness Month Series 2026, a month-long statewide celebration taking place throughout September 2026 in Arizona and virtually.
Overall Design
Color palette: Warm desert-inspired gold, black, white, and earthy brown botanical illustrations.
Style: Elegant, modern, and arts-focused with strong visual hierarchy.
Theme: Arizona desert imagery featuring cacti and native plants framing the schedule without overwhelming the content.
Header
At the top is the title:
Melanated Deaf Visual Arts Project
Deaf Awareness Month
Series 2026
Beneath the title is the series theme:
Deaf & Diverse: Celebrating Black, Brown, and Indigenous Deaf Voices
followed by:
September 2026 | Arizona & Virtual
Introduction
A short description reads:
A month-long celebration of visual art, storytelling, culture, accessibility, and community featuring Black, Brown, and Indigenous Deaf artists across Arizona.
Event Schedule
The flyer presents the schedule in three columns:
Left: Date
Center: Event title and time
Right: City
The listed events are:
September 1
MDVAP Exhibition Opening Reception
4:00–7:00 PM
Phoenix, AZ
September 5
Introductory ASL Workshop
1:00–2:30 PM
Tempe, AZ
September 6
MDVAP ASL Gallery Tour
2:00–3:00 PM
Phoenix, AZ
September 9
MDVAP ASL Art Workshop
5:00–7:00 PM
Phoenix, AZ
September 12
Deaf Art, Storytelling & Identity
1:00–2:30 PM
Tempe, AZ
September 13
Protactile Gallery Tour & Protactile Art Workshop
2:00–3:00 PM and 4:00–6:00 PM
Phoenix, AZ
September 16
MDVAP Voices Panel
5:00–6:30 PM
Phoenix, AZ
September 21–27
10th Annual Tucson Deaf Awareness Week
Tucson, AZ
September 25
MDVAP Tucson: ASL Gallery Tour & Protactile Gallery Tour
2:00–9:00 PM
Tucson, AZ
September 27
10th Annual Tucson Deaf Awareness Week Closing Ceremony
2:00–7:00 PM
Tucson, AZ
September 30
Closing Celebration & Virtual Gala
4:00–7:00 PM
Virtual
Footer
In the lower-left corner is a large QR code.
Centered above the contact information is the message:
Event details, registration, accessibility information, and updates available via the QR code.
The bottom line includes:
mdvap.org
[email protected]
VP: 602-563-6408]

WHAT WE DO

Exhibitions

​Curated visual arts exhibitions featuring Melanated Deaf artists, presented in accessible, Deaf-centered environments.
Artist Support

​Providing opportunities, visibility, and compensation for Deaf artists of color.
Community Engagement

Public programs, artist talks, and events that center Deaf culture and lived experience.
Accessible Programming

ASL and Protactile-centered design ensuring meaningful access for DeafBlind and Deaf communities.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Deaf and Disabled artists of color are often excluded from traditional art spaces.
​
MDVAP exists to change that.
​
We center:
  • Access
  • Equity
  • Cultural pride
  • Community leadership

IMPACT

OUR IMPACT

MDVAP is building a sustainable platform for Melanated Deaf artists in Arizona and beyond.

​2026 Goals:
  • 4 exhibitions
  • 20+ artists featured
  • Community-based accessible programming
  • Partnerships with arts institutions
​
MDVAP exists to ensure Melanated Deaf artists are not only seen—but supported, compensated, and centered.
[ID]: A poster, "BLACK DEAF ART PERIOD." Under the title was a photo of Earl Terry with his maroon suit. Under the photo, "Curated by Earl Terry," hung on the walls]

FOUNDER SNAPSHOT

I’m Earl Terry, a Deaf, Black Afro-Mexican curator, educator, and advocate.

I created MDVAP to build spaces where DDBDDHHLD artists of color are seen, supported, and centered.
​
This is more than a project—it’s a movement for visibility and justice through art.

PARTNER/SPONSOR

PARTNER WITH MDVAP

MDVAP partners with organizations, institutions, and sponsors to bring Deaf-centered exhibitions and programming to life.
​
Support may include:
  • Exhibition funding
  • Artist stipends
  • Accessibility services (ASL, Protactile)
  • Venue partnerships
CALL TO ACTION:

Become a Partner
Contact: [email protected]
Access Statement:
​
MDVAP centers Deaf and DeafBlind experiences through ASL, Protactile, and visual-first design. Accessibility is integrated into all events and programming.
MDVAP is a Deaf-centered arts and cultural initiative based in Arizona.
For collaborations, workshops, accessibility inquiries, or community partnerships: [email protected] 

Follow MDVAP for updates, workshops, artist opportunities, and community engagement.​​